NM10 – One channel tunable bandpass superconducting filter for wavelength selective switching applications in communications systems

We design and evaluate the performance of optical filters that are built from one-dimensional photonic crystals (PhCs) amenable for integration into optical networks based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). The photonic heterostructures comprise the integration of a ferroelectric (BaTiO₃), a dielectric (Y₂O₃), and a critical high-temperature superconductor material (YBa₂Cu₃O_7−X) in between. Such nanosystems can allow for routing and switching optical signals at well defined wavelengths in the near-infrared spectral regions, as required in optical telecommunication channels. By tailoring the superconductor key parameters (e.g. layer thickness), temperature and the direction of the incident light, we provide a computational test-bed for the implementation of multiplexed PhC-optical filters that can be integrated into either photonic and optoelectronic circuits or in devices for the transmission of information that work in the 1300 – 1700 nm range. The proposed filters are expected to work at very low-temperature environments (e.g., outer space conditions).